New Update from SWYAA

Reconnecting in Oman: Highlights from the 14th SWYAA Global Assembly

The Sultanate of Oman hosted the 14th Ship for World Youth Alumni Association Global Assembly in November 2023, where 153 Alumni of the Ship for World Youth program, representing 25 countries and 27 batches, participated in this assembly. It was the first assembly in four years held after COVID-19. The Official program (November 4-8, 2023) included the followings: The optional program (November 9-12, 2023) offered visits to Sur (sea environment), Bidiyah (desert environment), and Manah, Nizwa, and Muscat (mountain and Read more

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Connecting Generations: SWY Costa Rica’s Reunion and Giving Back Initiative

In February 2023, a social gathering allowed several generations of SWY alumni to meet in the house of former ex-PYs and brother, María Lourdes Borbón (SWY 9) and Alberto Borbón (SWY 5). 8 people participated. Prior to the meeting, the AA did a fundraising campaign to gather basic need products and educational materials or monetary contributions, which would be donated to Transforma, an international foundation from third sector led by Vanessa Valenzuela, SWYAA Costa Rica vice president. Her project has Read more

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Shaping the Future: “SWY Connect!” Sparks New Possibilities in Japan

On October 14th, 2023, a reunion was held for SWYers in Tokyo. More than 100 people from SWY4 to SWY35 participated and this time, 11 SWYers active in various genres took the stage. This reunion’s theme is “Spark the Future.” In 2022, the theme was to Connect with SWYers, but this time, the organizers wanted SWYers to not only connect, but also to build stronger connections with each other and create opportunities for them to take the next steps or Read more

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Osaka Expo Report

Exploring Osaka Expo 2025 As you may know, Japan is currently hosting Osaka, Kansai Expo 2025, and actually many SWYers are involved, as pavillion organizers, volunteers or visitors, each contributing in their unique way. My experience at Osaka Kansai Expo reminded me so much of SWY in a much larger scale. As SWYAA, we would like to give an opportunity to share some experiences at Osaka Kansai Expo and would like to keep sharing the posts to spread the connections Read more

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Stay Connected: Activities to Share and Contribute  – Ukraine

On July 9, 2023, seven Ex-PYs (SWY29) had an online reunion. They reported on their humanitarian activities. Documentary ProductionRostyk Kubik produced a documentary with the BBC to convey the real facts on the ground and organized two delegations of doctors from the United States and Israel for Internally Displaced Persons with health problems. The documentary was viewed by approximately 500,000 viewers, and the team of doctors were able to admit 124 patients. International Humanitarian Support in Vinnytsia citySvitlana Yarova worked Read more

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Growing Together: South Africa’s Mandela Day and Indoor SWY Forest

   Mandela Day:  Nelson Mandela International Day, held on the 18 July in honour of Nelson Mandela, is celebrated in South Africa with acts of service. Several ex-participants engaged in various community service activities on that day.  A school’s play-based activities to help people  Lynn Adams (right, SWY8 and 30), who previously taught at Christel House South Africa (CHSA), continues to  volunteer at the school on Mandela Day. She participated as an Alumni member and assisted with some of these Read more

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Uniting for Peace: SWYAA Sri Lanka’s Ceremony in Memory of Fallen Soldiers

Sri Lanka is a country that suffered a war for 30 years. More than 30,000 members of the three armed forces sacrificed their lives for the sake of the country’s solidarity during this era. The Ship for World Youth Alumni Association of Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the National Youth Services Council and Ranaviru Seva Authority of Sri Lanka, organized a Buddist pirith chanting ceremony to dedicate merit to the war heroes of Sri Lanka at the top of the Read more

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SWY34 Post-Program Activity: Empowering Peruvian Local Youth

The SWY34 Peruvian Delegation organized a Post-Program Activity to promote cooperation, leadership and empathy among 25 high school students from low-income backgrounds in Barrios Altos District, Lima, Peru. The activity promoted the SWY values such as 1) To empower local youth, 2) To promote cooperation, leadership, and empathy, 3) To strengthen skills and knowledge and 4) To change perspectives on academic and professional opportunities. The first session focused on self-knowledge, self-esteem and promoting the SWY program. The second session focused Read more

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Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Japan-Kenya Relations in Nairobi

On November 16th, 2023, H.E. Ambassador OKANIWA Ken hosted a reception at the official residence to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Kenya. The reception was attended by government officials, Members of Parliament, former JICA trainees, alumni of Japanese universities and individuals and organizations with linkages to Japan. During this gathering, SWYAA Kenya was represented by Mr. Samatar Jama (President), who expressed and affirmed the AA’s dedication to participate and contribute to various Read more

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Connect New SWYers: Random Coffee Meetings　Organized by SWYAA Australia

SWY Australia first launched the ‘Random Coffee Meetings’ project in 2020 to connect SWYers from around the world with another participant for a chat. These meetings aimed to keep the SWY spirit alive and allow participants to connect with each other and learn more about the world. The program resumed in March 2023, and involved almost 50 participants. Here are some comments from participants;

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